National Capital 20 Miler, Alexandria, VA, 09/27/09

Report by Keith Hosman...A few of us came out and ran the National Capital 20 miler on Sunday. The race started in a cool mist which brought about ideal running conditions for the start of the race. The race is mainly on the Mount Vernon bike path but there are around 4 miles of road through suburban neighborhoods. I thought I ran well till mile 18.I think the ultra I did the week before came back to hunt me then. I still won 3rd place in my age group. J.C. and I missed the usual pizza they have after the race. This year it was donuts.  This is a great tune up race for the MCM.    Results are: Keith Hosman 2:44:43, Mike Kassem  2:52:24, and Jose Nieves Campos 3:05:50.

The "Big Schloss" 34 Miler, George Washington National Forest, WV 09/26/09

Report by Bruce Tweedie...On Saturday the 26^th I went out and ran the 7^th running of the “The Big Schloss” trail run in the George Washington National Forest in West Virginia. The Big Schloss consists of approximately 32 miles of mainly single track technical trail with 3 significant climbs - approx. 5600 feet of total ascent and decent in all. The morning weather was actually perfect for running - very cool with light rain but with much heavier rain moving in the afternoon – déjà vu Highlands Sky.  There are supposed to be beautiful views to be had on the Big Schloss – but unfortunately due to the weather I couldn’t see anything. There were a total of 3 aid stations with great volunteers and wonderful support. Approximately 57 runners completed the run with the winner coming in with a time of 5:51.  I came rolling in at 8:23 with only one minor fall and no injuries. Great food and fellowship followed the run.

12 Hour Adventure Trail Run, Pr. William Forest Park, 09/19/09

Report by Keith Hosman... On Saturday the 19th I ran the 12 Hour Adventure Run at Prince William Forest Park. I was pleased with how I did. I ran 8, 6.5 mile loops for 8th place in the men's solo standing. Only 4 people ran more miles than me. I like this course the best of the 3 races that Athletic Equation puts on, for me the mix of fire road and trail is just perfect. The trail to fire road ratio is around 50%. I did fall 3 times. Allyson could tell when I fell because I would come in dirty. She was a volunteer at the main aid station. I also wasted some time trying to pee every loop. After 25 miles at last I could pee and sort of had a private celebration. The men's race was won by Patrick McGlade a VCU student who my son and his friends know as Fuzzy. He also stepped on a snake which freaked him out. That is why we need those young bucks out there to clear the spider webs and snakes from the trails for us. My total miles was just over 52. 

Labor Day 5 Mile Whine Run, New Braunfels, TX, 09/07/09

Report by Burl Hickman... I decided to run (more like walk) the Labor Day Whine Run (5 miles) which was sponsored by the Dry Comal Creek Winery and ran up on Phil & Julie Gaddie at the 4 mile point.  Thought I’d send these.  My knee is starting to get a little better after the surgery.  Take care.  Check out some pics here!

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A RUNNER WHEN...

TRAVEL...
* when the drive to the race is longer than the race itself.
* when you keep your family updated on how far you are from your
destination by saying "There's only a half-marathon (10k, 5k, etc)
until Grandma's house," and everyone knows how far that is.
* when you run to your gate at the airport even though you aren't
late and you aren't wearing running shoes
* when you pack a separate bag for your running clothes
* when your idea of sightseeing involves visiting the local running store and finding the best places for hill repeats and long runs
* when you get off an 18 hour flight and go for your long run
because a) you need to stretch your legs, b) you want to see the
city/country, and c) you have a scheduled run
* when you realize that all the traveling you did in the last year
revolved around races
* when, on trips, you find it entertaining to see how fast you can
convert speeds and distances from miles to kilometers and vice versa
* you avoid travelling to places where you won't be able to run
* when you get back from vacation and the first thing you tell
people about is how the running was
* when you fly with your running clothes and shoes in your carry-
on bag

NUTRITION...
* when all your friends think you eat too healthy
* when you not only eat gels, but you know the best flavors for
every brand
* when you consider pasta to be a food group
* when the sports drinks are in front of the soda, beer, and juice
in your fridge
* when you know the name of all the checkers at your local health
food store
* when you have two eggs, two pieces of toast, a slice of cheese,
a glass of juice, and a yogurt for breakfast and are still hungry by
11 AM
* when you drink your least favorite kind of sports drink because
you know it is what they will be handing out at water stops for your
next race and you want your body to be accustomed to it
* when pasta is the only food you'll eat two nights before a race

FAMILY AND FRIENDS...
* when you've run, showered, and eaten breakfast before your
family/roommates even wake up
* your family knows that you will run on Thanksgiving and
Christmas (or other holidays you celebrate) now matter what
* your friends no longer look at you like you're nuts, because
they know it for sure
* when you forget birthdays and anniversaries, even major
holidays, but never the date of your next race
* when you have to make a real effort to remember to talk to your
(non-running) family and friends about something other than running
* you register for a race during your honeymoon even though your
new spouse is not a runner (and he's not surprised or angry)
* when your boss tells you to go run because you're having a bad
day at work
* when your family plans vacations based on where your next
marathon will be
* when your non-running family and friends know the differences
between feet that are neutral, over-pronating, and supinating
* when you run so much that your family has a separate laundry
basket for your running clothes
* when people stop asking you if you are going to run today, but
rather ask you when
* when your friends buy sports drinks for their party so you'll
have something to drink, since they know you have a run/race the next day
* when you tell your realtor that you want a house in an area with
good schools and a nice area to run
* when you tell people you ran a 10k and you are shocked that
people think that is a long run
* your spouse and kids (and maybe even friends) know your PRs at
different distances
* when you call 4 miles an easy day
* when your friends know that if you don't answer your phone,
you're probably running
* when you try to convince people to run a 5k because it's "only"
3 miles
* when you pass on going out with your friends on Friday night
because you have to get up early and run
* when you no longer have to explain to your friends why cotton
isn't the best choice for running attire
* when an exciting date for you is going with your spouse to drive
your 20 mile route for the next morning and plant sports drinks along
the way
* when you come back after a 1 hour run and your spouse says 'That was fast. I didn't expect you back so soon.'
* when your friends think they need to practice more before they
can run with you
* when you smirk at people who tell you that you run too much or
are crazy for enjoying a run
* when your spouse begs you to go for a run because you are in a
bad mood

INJURIES...
* when you know how to pronounce (correctly) Plantar Fasciitis
* when you have a favorite ice pack
* when your massage therapist knows your race schedule
* your room smells like a nursing home because of all the
analgesic you use
* when a pool is started to bet on when your next toenail will
fall off
* when you run even though you are sick
* when you put more time and work into taping parts of your body
than to your tax return
* when you laugh about chafing
* when you go through a box of Band-Aids without a single cut
* when it hurts worse to take a shower than it does to keep running
* when you find yourself standing in front of the mirror trying to
see if you have a leg length discrepancy
* when you know the names and remedies for every possible injury
from bursitis to shin splints
* when you could teach a class about biomechanics and the
different kinds of shoes people need
* when you are the only person in town who knows what quinine is
used for besides treating malaria
* when your physical therapist or massage therapist is on speed
dial
* when your rolling pin is kept near your bed instead of in the
kitchen

CLOTHES...
* when you refuse to wash your running shoes because the dirt is a
badge of honor
* when every T-shirt you own has a race name and sponsors listed
on it
* when your socks come in two categories: running socks and others
* when you go from having a drawer for your running clothes to
having an entire bureau for running clothes
* when you have tons of race shirts but can't find a work shirt
for the life of you
* when you balk at the cost of everyday shoes and then spend $75-$100 on a pair of running shoes and think you're getting a fabulous deal
* when you refuse to buy running shorts with a seam longer than 2
inches
* when you think a black Timex Ironman watch goes with black tie
dress
* when you are constantly washing running clothes but have to go
through piles of clothes on the floor to find work clothes each
morning
* you can shop at REI and your local running store for hours, but
can't stand 5 minutes anywhere else
* when you spend $12 on socks that help you avoid blisters
* when you have more shoes than your girlfriend or girl friends
(as the case may be)
* when you have to explain to everyone why you can't run in the T-shirts you get at races

Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run, Silver Meadow Hill, VT  07/18-19/09

Yeungling Shamrock Marathon, Half-Marathon, 8K, VA Beach, VA

03/21-22/09

Report by Joe Malinowski... Spring really came to VA Beach for the Shamrock weekend!  It was 30 degrees at race start, but quickly went into the 50s with not a cloud in the sky.

Race results: (8K) Kathy Malinowski & Jean McVeigh both at 1:17:13; (Marathon) Bruce Tweedie 3:54:08, Joe Malinowski 5:52:14 (70th Marathon!) and George McVeigh 6:27:11.

"FRIENDS OF THE OCCOQUAN TRAIL"

BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon, Dasani Half-Marathon, and the RBC Centura 5K - Myrtle Beach, NC 02/13-14/09

Report by Joe Malinowski... The temps were in the high 50s for most of the weekend and a light rain cooled us off for the latter stages of the marathon.  All in all it made for great running weather.

On Friday, February 13, as part of the Bi-Lo Marathon weekend, the RBC Centura 5K was held at 6:30 PM.  All of the races for the weekend started at "Broadway on the Beach", a shopping, amusement and restaurant complex and finished behind the Coastal Federal Field, home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans minor league baseball team.

We "hydrated" at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville the night before the marathon and had our traditional celebratory drinks at Fat Tuesdays on Sunday afternoon leaving on Monday the next day!  What a great weekend!

 

For the 5K: Kathy Malinowski and Ray McQuade 49:30.

 

For the marathon: Joe Malinowski 5:24:09 for his 69th marathon and George McVeigh 6:37:38.